Electronic clinical thermometer

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is an electronic clinical thermometer at least the temperature sensing portion of which, or the entire thermometer, has a flexible structure which adapts itself to any part of a body surface for automatically measuring body temperature or body surface temperature over an extended period of time. Preferably, the thermometer includes a power supply battery and a temperature measuring and storing circuit for storing in memory temperature data obtained by sensing temperature at a predetermined period by means of a temperature-responsive portion, reading out the temperature data stored in the memory in response to an externally applied data-read request, and outputting the temperature data to an external unit from a prescribed signal extracting portion. These elements are mounted on a flexible circuit board. The entirety of the electronic clinical thermometer, with the exception of the temperature-responsive portion and the signal extracting portion, is sealed and covered by a flexible, heat-insulative covering member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an electronic clinical thermometer and, moreparticularly, to an electronic clinical thermometer in which at leastthe temperature sensing portion or the entire thermometer has a flexiblestructure which adapts itself to any part of a body surface forautomatically measuring body temperature or body surface temperatureover an extended period of time.

2. Description of the Related Art

The temperature sensing portion of conventional electronic clinicalthermometers has a solid, rod-shaped form and is fixedly inserted into aspecific part of the body, such as the armpit, rectum or mouth, tomeasure temperature. Accordingly, the temperature sensing portion or theentire thermometer lacks a flexible structure, so that the body cannotmove freely while its temperature is being measured. In a case where apart of the body other than those mentioned above, such as the surfaceof the body, is to have its temperature measured, it is extremelydifficult to affix the temperature sensing portion to the body surfaceowing to its shape.

Further, the conventional electronic clinical thermometer is such thatthe results of body temperature measurement are successively displayedby a display element such as a liquid-crystal cell. This means that if achange in body temperature over a given day is to be measured, it isnecessary to repeatedly observe the displayed temperature and record it.Such a thermometer is troublesome to handle and involves considerablerisk of error as far as recording the temperature is concerned.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been devised to eliminate the aforementioneddrawbacks of the prior art and its object is to provide an electronicclinical thermometer at least the temperature sensing portion of which,or the entire thermometer, has a flexible structure which adapts itselfto any part of a body surface.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an electronicclinical thermometer having a compact, flexible structure which adaptsitself to a body surface, and in which body temperature can be measuredand recorded automatically over an extended period of time through asimple arrangement and operation.

In order to attain the foregoing objects, an electronic clinicalthermometer according t the present invention has an electronic circuitwhich includes a temperature-responsive portion and a signal extractingportion, a flexible substrate mounting the electronic circuit, aflexible, heat-insulative covering member for sealing and covering theelectronic circuit and flexible substrate with the exception of thetemperature-responsive portion and signal extracting portion, andaffixing means provided on the periphery of the heat-responsive elementat an outer surface of the covering member.

Further, in order to attain the foregoing objects, an electronicclinical thermometer according to the present invention has anelectronic circuit comprising a temperature-responsive portion and asignal extracting portion, a flexible substrate mounting the electroniccircuit, and a flexible, heat-insulative covering member for sealing andcovering the electronic circuit and flexible substrate with theexception of the temperature-responsive portion and signal extractingportion, wherein the electronic circuit has temperature sensing meansfor sensing temperature by the temperature-responsive portion, a memoryfor storing a plurality of items of data, counter means for cyclicallyaddressing the memory from a O address to an N address, measurementcontrol means for detecting temperature at a predetermined period by thetemperature sensing means, successively storing the sensed temperaturedata in the memory, and stopping storing of temperature data in responseto designation of the N address by the counter means, and read-out meansfor successively outputting the data of the memory to a signalextracting portion in response to a read-out signal form the signalextracting portion.

In a preferred embodiment, the signal extracting portion is constitutedby a member through which a light signal is transmitted.

In a preferred embodiment, the signal extracting portion is constitutedby a member for transmitting and receiving a radio signal.

In a preferred embodiment, an outer surface of the covering member isprovided with affixing means for affixing the electronic clinicalthermometer.

In a preferred embodiment, the electronic clinical thermometer haswriting means for receiving a write signal and time data from the signalextracting portion and writing said time data in a pertinent address ofthe memory.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1(A) is a top view of an electronic clinical thermometer of a firstembodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 1(B) is a sectional view taken along line b--b of FIG. 1(A);

FIG. 1(C) is a bottom view of the electronic clinical thermometer of thefirst embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the electronic clinical thermometer of thefirst embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an operation timing chart of the electronic clinicalthermometer of the first embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view of an electronic clinical thermometerof a second embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the electronic clinical thermometer of thesecond embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an operation timing chart of the electronic clinicalthermometer of the second embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 7(A) is an external perspective view of an electronic clinicalthermometer of a third embodiment

to the present invention; according

FIG. 7(B) is a sectional view of a probe in FIG. 7(A);

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an electronic clinical thermometer of afourth embodiment according to the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the construction ofan external apparatus at a receiving station.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments according to the invention will now be described in detailwith reference to the accompanying drawings.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1(A) is a top view of an electronic clinical thermometer of a firstembodiment according to the present invention, FIG. 1(B) is a sectionalview taken along line b--b of FIG. 1(A), and FIG. 1(C) is a bottom viewof the electronic clinical thermometer of the first embodiment.

In the top view of FIG. 1(A), numeral 1 denotes a flexible,heat-insulative mounting member for mounting therein the electroniccomponents of an electronic clinical thermometer to retain a flexiblestructure for the entirety of the thermometer. An example of a materialwhich can be used as the mounting member is expanded urethane. Numeral 2denotes a connector for externally extracting temperature data measuredand accumulated by the electronic clinical thermometer. Numeral 3designates a battery for the electronic clinical thermometer, whichbattery preferably is of the replaceable or chargeable type. A preferredexample of a replaceable battery is a film-type lithium battery (LB).

In the sectional view of FIG. l(B), numeral 4 denotes an LSIC(C-MOS) inwhich an electronic circuit, described below, is accommodated within asingle chip. The LSIC(C-MOS) contains a temperature measuring circuit, atemperature data storing circuit, etc. Numeral 5 represents a chipthermistor whose. temperature-responsive resistance value R_(th) variesin comformity with a change in temperature. Numeral 6 denotes a flexiblesubstrate flexibly retaining the electronic components and electricallyconnected thereto. Examples of materials which can be used to form thisflexible substrate are polyimide, polyester, polyparabanic acid, glassepoxy, etc. Numeral 7 designates a disposable-type double-sided tape(with adhesive surfaces) affixed directly to the skin of a body surface.The double-sided tape 7 makes it possible to affix the electronicclinical thermometer, the entire structure of which is flexible andwhich comprises the flexible substrate 6 and the covering member 1, tothe body surface while the thermometer accommodates itself to the shapeof the part desired to be measured.

In the bottom view of FIG. 1(C), the temperature-responsive portion ofthe chip thermistor 5 senses body temperature by being brought intocontact with the body surface through an aperture 7a providedsubstantially at the central portion of the adhesive surface 7. At thistime the heat-insulative mounting member 1 makes it possible toaccurately measure the temperature of the body surface while iteffectively insulates the chip thermistor 5 from the temperatureoutside. This electronic clinical thermometer can be manufactured in avariety of diameters taking into consideration the location where it isto be affixed, the handling of the connector 2, etc.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the electronic clinical thermometer of thefirst embodiment according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is anoperation timing chart thereof. Portions identical with those of FIGS.1(A) through (C) are indicated by like reference characters and adescription thereof is deleted. In the block diagram of FIG. 2, numeral41 denotes an oscillator circuit for generating a reference clock signalFs; X a quartz oscillator for stabilizing the oscillation frequency ofthe reference clock signal Fs; 42 a timing circuit forfrequency-dividing the reference clock Fs and generating temperaturedata sampling signal SG and a data-write pulse signal WP for writingdata in a memory, described below; 43 an A/D converter for detecting thetemperature-responsive resistance value R_(th) of the chip thermister 5at the timing of each data sampling signal SG, and converting the resultinto temperature data WD for writing digital temperature; 44 arandom-access memory (RAM) for storing measurement start-time data,entered whenever necessary from outside the electronic clinicalthermometer, and for storing sampled items of temperature data WD up toa predetermined address, or a predetermined number of items of thisdata, after measurement starts; and 45 an address counter forcontrolling read/write addresses of the RAM 44.

Thus, the electronic clinical thermometer of the first embodiment issuch that the entirety of the thermometer has a flexible structure sothat the thermometer will adapt itself to any part of a body surface, asa result of which body temperature or body surface temperature can bemeasured automatically with ease and reliability over an extended periodof time.

The operation of the electronic clinical thermometer of the firstembodiment will now be described with reference to the timing chart ofFIG. 3. When the lithium battery 3 is inserted into the electronicclinical thermometer, the oscillator circuit 41 begins oscillating andoutputs the reference clock signal Fs having a reference frequency. Thetiming circuit 42 frequency-divides the reference clock signal Fs andoutputs the data sampling signal SG, which has a predetermined pulsewidth, at a rate of once per minute, by way of example. Insynchronization therewith, the timing circuit 42 outputs the data-writepulse signal WP of the temperature data WD. The temperature detectingcircuit of the A/D converter 43 is a multivibrator circuit comprising acapacitor C, a resistor R, the chip thermistor 5 and an invertercircuitI. The multivibrator circuit has an oscillator clock frequencyF_(th) which varies in dependence upon a change in thetemperature-responsive resistance value R_(th) of chip thermistor 5,which is sensitive to body temperature. The frequency Ftn generally isgiven by

    F.sub.th =K×l/(C R.sub.th)

The counter circuit 431 counts the reference clock signal Ftn of themultivibrator circuit for a length of time equivalent to thepredetermined pulse width of the data sampling signal SG. Accordingly,the temperature data WD, which is proportional to the sensedtemperature, is obtained from the counter circuit 431. The temperaturedata WD is written in the RAM 44 in accordance with a data addresssignal ADD (e.g., n) outputted by the address counter 45. The data-writepulse signal WP makes it possible to write the temperature data WD inthe RAM 44 and, at the timing of its negative-going transition,increments the address counter 45. Thus, the items of temperature dataWD are successively stored in the RAM 44. When the items of temperaturedata fill the RAM 44 (e.g., when the count ADD in the address counter 45becomes a predetermined address N), the address counter 45 outputs alow-level gate signal FULL, which halts the data storing operation ofthe timing circuit 42. In this case, if it is assumed that thetemperature data always start being stored from a "0" address, the gatesignal FULL will halt the data storing operation when the RAM 44 hasstored a predetermined number of items of the temperature data WD. Inany case, this prevents destruction of previously stored data owing torecycling of the RAM 44 write address. Accordingly, after measurementstarts, temperature data stored in the RAM 44 will not be lost untilthese temperature data are read out from outside the electronic clinicalthermometer.

External data read-out is performed by connecting a prescribed cable tothe connector 2. When a read gate signal RG applied externally via theconnector 2 assumes the low level, the RAM 44 assumes the data read-outmode. At all other times the RAM 44 is held at a high level (data-writemode) by the action of a pull-up resistor R_(P). A data bus line R/W-Dconnecting the connector 2 and the RAM 44 is joined to, say, aneight-bit bidirectional bus structure. When the RAM 44 is in the dataread-out mode, the temperature data RD read out of the RAM 44 becomeeffective on the bus line R/W-D. By way of example, if it is assumedthat the address counter 45 has stopped operating at its maximum count Nat the time of the immediately preceding data-write mode, thenexternally applying a dummy data-read pulse signal SP via the connector2 will increment the address counter 45, so that the data address signalADD will return to the "0" address. As a result, since the item oftemperature data RD at address "0" will be outputted to the bus lineR/W-D of connector 2, an external apparatus (not shown) will be capableof accepting this temperature data RD. Next, when the data-read pulsesignal SP is externally applied, the item of temperature data RD of the"0" address is accepted, the address counter 45 is incremented at thetrailing edge of the data-read pulse signal SP, and the data addresssignal ADD becomes a "1" address. The external apparatus transmits thenext data-read pulse signal SP to accept this temperature data RD. Itshould be noted that the function for halting operation of the timingcircuit 42 by the gate signal FULL is cancelled by application of thedummy data-read pulse signal SP. However, since the period of the actualdata-read pulse signal SP can be made much shorter than the period ofthe data-write pulse signal WP, read-out of all temperature data can beconcluded well before the first data-write pulse signal WP issubsequently generated. In response to final read-out of the storedtemperature data, the gate signal FULL again assumes the low level,thereby halting operation of the timing circuit 42 to restore theinitial conditions.

Preferably, the initial temperature data at the start of measurementshould always be stored at the "0" address of RAM 44, and thetemperature data prevailing a the end of measurement should be stored atthe last address of the RAM 44. To this end, the gate signal FULLordinarily is placed at the low level in a state where all temperaturedata RD have been read out. Then, when not in use, the electronicclinical thermometer is put aside in this state. In general, since aC-MOS-type IC chip consumes very little power when not operating, it isadvantageous as far as the lithium battery 3 is concerned to put theelectronic clinical thermometer aside in this state. Then, when thethermometer is used again at a later time, a cable is temporarilyconnected to the connector 2 and one dummy data-read pulse signal SP isapplied, by way of example. As a result, temperature data subsequentlysampled will be written in the RAM 44 starting from the "0" address.When the electronic clinical thermometer whose temperature data havebeen read out to an external apparatus is to be used immediately withoutbeing put aside, one extra data-read pulse signal is applied at read-outof the abovementioned temperature data RD. As a result, the gate signalFULL is released from the low level and the timing circuit 42 beginsoperating again.

There is one other method of starting measurement in the electronicclinical thermometer of the first embodiment of this invention. Thismethod is to first write measurement-start time data in RAM 44 at, e.g.,the "0" address thereof from the external apparatus at the start ofmeasurement. To accomplish this, the cable is temporarily connected tothe connector 2 and the dummy data read-out pulse signal SP istransmitted from the external apparatus, thereby incrementing theaddress counter 45 so that the data address signal ADD thereof becomesthe "0" address. Next, the read gate signal RG from the externalapparatus is temporarily raised to the high level, whereby the RAM 44assumes the data-write mode. As a result, the measurement-start timedata supplied by the external apparatus becomes effective on the databus line R/W-D. Furthermore, in order to prevent the writing oftemperature data WD from the counter circuit 431 from occurring at thistime, it will suffice to use e.g. three state circuits as the outputcircuitry of the counter circuit 431 and gate the data sampling signalSG through these three state circuits. As a consequence, the outputsignal line of the temperature data WD will assume a high impedenceduring the time that the data sampling signal SG is not at the "1"level. Next, when the data-read pulse signal SP for writing themeasurement-start time data is sent from the external apparatus, themeasurement-start time data is written at the "0" address, the addresscounter 45 is incremented by the negative-going transition of thisdata-read pulse signal SP, and the resulting data address signal ADDbecomes the "1" address. When the cable is disconnected from theconnector 2 at this time, the RAM 44 is held in the data-write mode bythe action of the pull-up resistor R_(P) and the temperature data WD arethen written from the "1" address, as set forth above. Thus, it willsuffice to prearrange it so that the measurement-start time data arestored at the "0" address when temperature data RD are read out to theexternal apparatus.

How long this electronic clinical thermometer can be used before the RAM44 fills up with the temperature data WD can readily be determined. Forexample, if the data sampling period is one minute and the predeterminedvalue N of the address counter 45 is 3600, then the RAM will become full12 hours after the start of measurement. Further, the electronicclinical thermometer may be detached from the body surface during thecourse of a measurement. In addition, if the measurement-start time isknown externally, or if the measurement-start time data has already beenwritten in the RAM 44, all of the read-out temperature data RD will bein one-to-one correspondence at the time that each item of temperatureWD is sampled. Accordingly, by incorporating this electronic clinicalthermometer in a large-scale diagnostic managing system such as in ahospital, it will be possible to employ a large number of thesethermometers, which will lend themselves well also in terms of datamanagement.

It is permissible to provide a switching circuit in series with thelithium battery 3, or to provide a signal circuit RS or the like that iscapable of externally resetting the contents of the address counter 45at any desired time. However, the electronic clinical thermometer of thepresent invention, rather than being provided with too many functions,fully manifests its strengths in terms of its ability to measuretemperature simultaneously at a number of points on the human body, itssmall size, functional simplicity and low cost, or in terms of itssystem cababilities, namely the ease with which it can be incorporatedin a fixed diagnostic management system.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view illustrating an electronic clinicalthermometer of a second embodiment according to the present invention.The characterizing feature of the second embodiment resides in that theconnector uses data serial communicating means employing opticalcommunication or the like for the purpose of extracting the temperaturedata at high speed and in safety (i.e., in an electrically insulatedstate). Portions identical with those shown in FIGS. 1(A) through (C)are designated by like reference characters and a description thereof isdeleted. In the partial sectional view of FIG. 4, numeral 21 denotes atransparent glass member through which a light signal is transmitted andwhich seals the connector portion of the electronic clinicalthermometer. Numeral 22 designates a phototransistor (PHTr) whichreceives the light signal from an external apparatus; 23 a semiconductorlight-emitting element (LED) which delivers the light signal to theexternal apparatus; and 24 an optical fiber cable connecting theelectronic clinical thermometer and the external apparatus. By virtue ofthis arrangement, the electronic clinical thermometer per se is providedwith an entirely waterproof structure cooperating with the otherwaterproof structural portions thereof. As a consequence, thethermometer can be readily and fully disinfected. In addition, theelectronic clinical thermometer is such that the connector portion canbe made very small, enabling the overall thermometer to be reduced insize. Also, the optical fiber cable can be connected with ease. Forexample, the temperature data can be read merely by bringing the endportion of the optical fiber cable into contact with the transparentglass member. Accordingly, the operation for accepting temperature datafrom a large quantity of electronic clinical thermometers is greatlyfacilitated.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the electronic clinical thermometer of thesecond embodiment according to the invention, and FIG. 6 is a timingchart of the operation thereof. This block diagram differs from thatshown in FIG. 2 in that, in order to use an optical communication systemfor communicating with the external apparatus, eight-bit parallelread-out temperature data RD is converted into serial data by aparallel-serial (PS) interface circuit 47 so that serial temperaturedata SRD may be outputted to the external unit. To accomplish this, atiming circuit 42' delivers a shift clock signal Fc.

When the data-read pulse signal RP enters from the external apparatus inthe operation timing chart of FIG. 6, the read-out temperature data RDfrom the RAM 44 are latched in the PS interface circuit 47 by theleading edge of the signal RP. The shift clock signal Fc causes thetemperature data RD latched in the PS interface circuit 47 to be shiftedout sequentially from the MSB or LSB. However, the data-read pulsesignal RP and the shift clock signal Fc generally are not in synchronismand, as a consequence, the external apparatus does not know at whatpoint in time the initial serial data bit becomes effective.Accordingly, and by way of example, a start bit S at logical level "1"and an immediately following start bit S' at logical level "0" arealways attached to the beginning of each eight-bit item of temperaturedata as the pattern of the initially appearing serial bit. If this isdone, the external apparatus will be capable of recognizing theexistence of the start bit pattern by detecting the moment of theinitial negative-going transition of the serial data level afterdelivery of the data-read pulse. As a result, synchronization withsubsequent serial temperature data will be achieved. It should be notedthat since the data-read pulse RP first transmitted by the externalapparatus is a dummy signal (what is read out is, e.g., temperature dataat the "N" address, and this data is neglected as temperature data), theexternal apparatus is capable of achieving initial synchronization by aresponse from the electronic clinical thermometer to this dummy signal.Thereafter, it will also be possible for the external apparatus to sendthe data-read pulse signal RP in a form substantially synchronized tothe predetermined shift clock signal F_(c).

Third Embodiment

FIG. 7(A) is an external perspective view showing an electronic clinicalthermometer of a third embodiment according to the invention. The thirdembodiment is characterized in that a flexible temperature sensingprobe, in which the chip thermistor 105 is accommodated, and theelectronic circuit portion, which is for measuring temperature andstoring the detected temperature data, are separately constructed. Inthe external viw of FIG. 7(A), numeral 101 denotes a temperature sensingprobe in which a chip thermistor 105 is accommodated in a flexible,heat-insulative mounting member. Numeral 102 denotes a connector throughwhich temperature data stored by the electronic clinical thermometer aretaken out to another external apparatus; 103 a lithium battery servingas a power supply; and 104 an electronic circuit board on which a singlechip-type LSIC having the above-described temperature measuring andtemperature data storing functions is mounted.

FIG. 7(B) is a sectional view showing the temperature sensing probe ofFIG. 7(A). In FIG.7(B), the temperature-responsive portion of the chipthermistor 105 senses body temperature by being brought into contactwith the body surface through an aperture 107 provided substantially atthe central portion of a skin-contact surface 108. At this time theheat-insulative mounting member 106 makes it possible to accuratelymeasure the temperature of the body surface while it effectivelyinsulates the chip thermistor 105 from the temperature outside.

Thus, the electronic clinical thermometer of the third embodiment issuch that at least the temperature sensing probe 101, which is thetemperature sensing portion, has a flexible structure which adaptsitself to any part of the body surface. As a result, body temperature orbody surface temperature can be measured automatically with ease andreliability over an extended period of time.

Fourth Embodiment

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an electronic clinical thermometer ofa fourth embodiment according to the invention. The fourth embodiment ischaracterized in that the temperature data are transmitted directly tothe external apparatus by radio waves. Portions identical with thoseshown in FIG. 2 are designated by like reference characters. In theblock diagram of FIG. 8, numeral 84 denotes a D/A converter forconverting digital temperature data WD into an analog signal. Theconversion timing is decided by the data-write pulse WP generated by thetiming circuit 42. Numeral 85 designates a PWM converter circuit forpulse-width converting a carrier-wave signal on the basis of theD/A-converted analog temperature signal. Numeral 86 denotes atransmitter circuit for amplifying the pulse-width modulated signal andthen broadcasting it to a receiving station from an antenna 80.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the construction ofthe external apparatus in the receiving station. In FIG. 9, radio wavescarrying information which is the measured temperature data transmittedby the electronic clinical thermometer are received by a receivercircuit 150. Next, after the output of the receiver circuit isdemodulated into an analog temperature signal by a PWM demodulatorcircuit 151, the signal is converted into digital temperature data by anA/D converter 152 and then accepted by a CPU 153.

Thus, the electronic clinical thermometer of the fourth embodiment issuch that data indicative of sensed temperature are delivered inrealtime. This means that monitoring of raw temperature and managementof data are performed at the receiving station.

Thus, the electronic clinical thermometer of the present invention asdescribed above possesses flexibility which allows the thermometer toadapt itself to any part of a body being measured. This greatlyincreases the parts of the body at which temperature is capable of beingmeasured.

Furthermore, the electronic clinical thermometer according to theinvention is capable of being affixed to any part being measured byaffixing means such as double-sided tape. This makes it possible tomeasure body temperature, under ordinary living conditions, at bodyparts that could only be measured at bedside in the prior art.

The electronic clinical thermometer according to the invention has aninternal function for storing temperature data. As a result, theindividual whose temperature is being measured is not subjected toneedless psychological stress, thus making it possible to measure normalbody temperature that is closer to the true value.

In accordance with the foregoing, the electronic clinical thermometer isnot only applicable to health management but the application thereof canbe broadened to include other fields, such as the field of psychology.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic clinical thermometer for makingtemperature measurement on a body surface, comprising:a flexiblesubstrate; an electronic circuit, mounted on said flexible substrate,including a temperature-responsive element making surface-to-surfacecontact with said flexible substrate and a signal extracting portionhaving signal pins; a flexible, heat-insulative covering member forsurrounding said electronic circuit and said flexible substrate exceptfor one surface of said temperature-responsive element and the signalpins of said signal extracting portion and for sealing remainingelements of said electronic clinical thermometer from ambient air; andadhesive means, peripherally extending from said temperature-responsiveelement on an outer surface of said covering member, for maintainingcontact and position between the one surface of saidtemperature-responsive element and the body surface.
 2. An electronicclinical thermometer, comprising:a flexible substrate; an electroniccircuit mounted on said flexible substrate, includingatemperature-responsive element making surface-to-surface contact withsaid flexible substrate; a signal extracting portion having a signalingport; temperature sensing means for sensing temperature from change instatus of said temperature-responsive element; a memory for storing aplurality of temperature data at addresses from zero to N; counter meansfor cyclically addressing said memory from a zero address to an Naddress; measurement control means for detecting temperature at apredetermined period by said temperature sensing means, successivelystoring the temperature data in said memory, and stopping storing of thetemperature data in response to designation of the N address by saidcounter means; and read-out means for successively outputting thetemperature data in said memory via the signaling port of said signalextracting portion; and a flexible, heat-insulative covering member forsurrounding said electronic circuit and said flexible substrate exceptfor one surface of said temperature-responsive element and the signalingport of said signal extracting portion and for sealing remainingelements of said electronic clinical thermometer from ambient air.
 3. Anelectronic clinical thermometer according to claim 2, wherein the signalextracting portion includes a light signal transmitting member fortransmitting the temperature data and the read-out signal to and formthe signaling port.
 4. An electronic clinical thermometer according toclaim 2, wherein the signal extracting portion includes means fortransmitting and receiving the temperature data and the read-out signalas radio signals.
 5. An electronic clinical thermometer according toclaim 2, wherein said covering member has an outer surface provided withaffixing means for affixing the electronic clinical thermometer to abody surface for temperature measurement of the body surface.
 6. Anelectronic clinical thermometer according to claim 2, further comprisingwriting means for receiving a write signal and time data from the signalextracting portion and for writing the time data in a singlepredetermined address of the memory for each sequence of temperaturemeasurements.